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    Books, Balls, and Dogs, An Ohio Love Story
    Books, Balls, and Dogs, An Ohio Love Story
    Books, Balls, and Dogs, An Ohio Love Story
    Ebook431 pages8 hours

    Books, Balls, and Dogs, An Ohio Love Story

    By B.L Wilson

    3.5/5

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Taylor Price, head librarian, is a brand new arrival in town. Lost, Taylor meets Jamie Underwood, the flag person from a road repair crew who guides her to the town’s only veterinarian. Later on, Jamie turns out to be her daughter’s soccer coach. The two women have several run-ins on the soccer field, on the roadway in front of Taylor’s home, at the library, and in Taylor’s basement, her kitchen, and her driveway. Bumping heads creates friction between the two women, but it leads to an undeniable attraction as well.

    Neither woman realizes the dog Jamie found giving birth to seven puppies in her garage weeks ago is the same dog Taylor’s daughter has been scouring their neighborhood to find. The budding relationship between the two women takes an unexpectedly negative turn when the facts surface and the dog’s true ownership is revealed.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherB.L Wilson
    Release dateAug 10, 2015
    ISBN9781311347886
    Books, Balls, and Dogs, An Ohio Love Story
    Author

    B.L Wilson

    B.L. has always been in love with books and the words in them. She never thought she could create something with the words she knew. When she read ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird,’ she realized everyday experiences could be written about in a powerful, memorable way. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with that knowledge so she kept on reading.Walter Mosley’s short stories about Easy Rawlins and his friends encouraged BL to start writing in earnest. She felt she had a story to tell...maybe several of them. She’d always kept a diary of some sort, scraps of paper, pocketsize, notepads, blank backs of agency forms, or in the margins of books. It was her habit to make these little notes to herself. She thought someday she’d make them into a book.She wrote a workplace memoir based on the people she met during her 20 years as a property manager of city-owned buildings. Writing the memoir, led her to consider writing books that were not job-related. Once again, she did...producing romance novels with African American lesbians as main characters. She wrote the novels because she couldn’t find stories that matched who she wanted to read about ...over forty, African American and female.

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    Reviews for Books, Balls, and Dogs, An Ohio Love Story

    3.5/5

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    • 3/5
      I have skipped over this book like a dozen times but finally decided to read it because I'd read B.L. Wilson before and I like her writing style.
      However I am afraid I have to point out a few things.
      I found the dialogue abit repetitive and not very natural. The characters spoke to each other like amateur actors who try to be good by overacting.
      Also I think the editing job was rushed, many ebooks these days have minor grammatical errors; however 'multiple organisms' for example should've been corrected during the final editing process.
      It was definitely a good story....with too many characters who made an appearance they probably shouldn't have made. For example I see how Greg Madden and his clan factored in, they were bigoted and generally mean people. So I kinda expected a run in with Greg and the coach/Taylor Price. I also expected something to be done about Kelly's bullying. I know Coach Underwood got the kids working together as a team but I wanted to see more where that's concerned. Also it would've been lovely to see Dee return for Amy Madden-Adler. I'm sure other lesbian readers like myself would enjoy watching Dee take Amy down.
      While I maintain that this was a pretty good story I think there are a few important loose ends that needs to be tied up.
      B.L. Wilson, I say this books needs a sequel. While the editing disappointed and annoyed me I still enjoyed reading. I like B.L. Wilson so I'll continue reading her books.
      Oh by the way the coach was my favorite character....and I love animals so I was glad Lady D/Queenie found a great 2nd home. And I'm glad Mugsy survived:)

    Book preview

    Books, Balls, and Dogs, An Ohio Love Story - B.L Wilson

    BOOKS, BALLS, AND DOGS,

    an Ohio love story

    by

    B. L. Wilson

    Books, Balls, and Dogs, an Ohio love story

    Brought to you by

    Patchwork Bluez Press

    Books, Balls, and Dogs by B. L. Wilson.

    Copyright © 2015 by B.L. Wilson

    Smashwords Edition

    All rights reserved. This book or portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without express written permission of publisher except for brief quotations in a book review.

    Created in the United States of America

    Edited and formatted by bzhercules.com

    Cover design by LLPix Design www.llpix.com

    BOOKS, BALLS, AND DOGS, an Ohio love story

    Chapter 1…I need a doctor

    Chapter 2…This house is our home

    Chapter 3…Lady D where are you?

    Chapter 4…Searching for the lady

    Chapter 5…First day on the job

    Chapter 6…Operation M

    Chapter 7…Making plans for the tryouts

    Chapter 8…War stories

    Chapter 9…Queenie and her babies

    Chapter 10…Teamwork 101

    Chapter 11…What’s in a name, anyway?

    Chapter 12…The first game

    Chapter 13…Dee Munroe

    Chapter 14…Meet me at the library

    Chapter 15…I’m sorry

    Chapter 16…Moving day, better late than never

    Chapter 17…Is it Lady D or Queenie

    Chapter 18…A hard head makes for a soft backside

    Chapter 19…The best laid plans don’t always work

    Chapter 20…I’m here for you

    THANK YOU FOR READING!

    More books by BL Wilson

    A public library is the most enduring of memorials, the trustiest monument for the preservation of an event or a name or an affection; for it and only it, is respected by wars and revolutions, and survives them.

    ~Mark Twain~

    Chapter 1…I need a doctor

    Jamie Underwood was grumpy and hot as she signaled motorists to slow down as they moved through the work zone. The work zone reduced the main road from four lanes to two lanes as she and her crew repaired the potholes. God, she hated being out here on the road in the summer heat. It wasn’t the heat she dreaded as much as the dust from the heavy trucks hauling dirt onto the highway or the nauseating smell of burning asphalt that they used to fill in the holes. Somehow, the smell wasn’t as bad in the winter or fall. She liked the flagger’s job even less, but, thank God, it was only temporary for today.

    Usually, she was the crew chief. Today, the new flagman had called in sick, so she found her role expanded to include flagger until he returned, if he did. She had her doubts whether the new kid would stay longer than the summer. He looked a little too preppy for roadwork and she doubted if he’d ever worked a day in his young life. Looking at his soft hands yesterday, she doubted if he washed his own dishes or cleaned his own clothes.

    Surprised out of her musings by the sound of a horn blowing, she noticed a car pull up alongside her and then stop. She bent down to look through the passenger window. Miss, you can’t stop here like that! Can’t you see you’re blocking traffic? Jamie yelled as she signaled the driver behind the stopped car to slow down before there was a serious accident. Come on, Miss. Move it along, she warned, waving the car along with her flag.

    The driver ignored her direction to move. Instead, she rolled her window down, letting the cool air escape from the car, and stuck her head out. I need to find a doctor. Could you help me, please?

    Do I look like a travel guide to you? Jamie snapped as she lifted her hardhat to wipe the sweat pouring off her forehead. It was too hot out here for silly questions. She suddenly realized what the driver had asked and studied her. The woman didn’t appear to be sick, so why the request for a doctor? It wouldn’t be the first time she’d had odd request from a motorist. For some reason, motorists seemed to think construction crews should know where everything was in town, as if they were tour guides.

    The female driver lowered her sunglasses. Dark eyes appraised Jamie from her booted feet to her hardhat. Her glance took in the sturdy legs, narrow waist, and muscular arms folded over medium-sized breasts. No. You don’t look like a travel agent.

    Jamie sighed and thought, You don’t look sick either. Miss, you have to move. You’re blocking traffic. When the motorist didn’t drive away, she leaned down and tried to look intimidating. Are you gonna move your car or am I gonna have to call the cops to move you?

    The female driver scowled at her. Can’t you just answer a simple question, Miss?

    A motorist behind her honked his horn impatiently. Another man behind him stuck his head out the window to yell, Let’s move it!

    See, Lady? Jamie shrugged at the driver. That’s what I’m talking about. You’re blocking my road. With a thumb, she pointed to the growing line of cars stuck behind the woman’s car. The driver’s lower lip trembled and she looked ready to cry.

    My daughter and I are new in town. Our dog, Lady D, is ready to give birth. Please, just tell me where the nearest vet is.

    She looks desperate, Jamie thought, feeling guilty for being rude. It wouldn’t hurt to show a little courtesy to a new woman in town. Ride me over to the shoulder. Jamie pointed. Over there.

    The driver followed the direction of Jamie’s finger to a shoulder about fifty yards away, then frowned at her. Why should I do that?

    Jamie shrugged. I’m sorry I was gruff with you. I’ll give you directions to the vet, she remarked as she stood up from the car’s door. That way, we won’t be holding up traffic.

    The woman unlocked the passenger door and Jamie climbed inside.

    Whew! It’s hot out there! Jamie remarked as she wiped her brow and then radioed the crew supervisor. Ed, I’m giving the lady in the minivan directions. I’ll be back in a minute. Take over for me.

    Roger that, Jamie.

    You look like you’ve been driving all night, Jamie said, noticing the ashen cast to the driver’s brown skin and the dark circles under her eyes.

    The driver nodded. They offered me a job at the local library. I start this Monday. I’m trying to get everything done before Monday.

    Oh, I see, Jamie remarked sympathetically. She studied the female driver’s face again and then glanced behind her. She spotted piles of neatly folded and stacked clothing surrounding a sleeping child. The kid had fallen asleep with her arm around a pregnant dog. The dog appeared to be a mongrel of some sort. She wouldn’t know one breed from another. It was hard to tell what the dog looked like with all the clothes stacked around it.

    She didn’t hate dogs, but she didn’t want one either. They seemed like a lot of trouble to her. An owner had to walk them, play with them, and feed them on a regular schedule. That was too time-consuming for her. It was almost like having a baby, at least, that was what Ed Nash said, and he should know. He had four kids and two dogs. His kids were all adults who’d moved away to start their own families, but Ed still had the dogs to keep him busy.

    It was a good thing the female driver had a minivan. All the stuff she carried wouldn’t fit into a smaller car. It looked like she had everything in the van but the kitchen sink and her living room furniture. Except for the clothes around the kid and the dog, she’d stacked the rest of the stuff in boxes that had been arranged according to their size and seemed to have color-coded labels as well. The driver certainly was organized, Jamie mused as she lifted her hat to scratch her head.

    The only vet I can think of is on Water Street, right off Main Boulevard. He’s Doc Phillips. Least, I think he’s still there.

    The dark-eyed woman frowned as she glanced at Jamie. I’m afraid that I don’t know where Water Street is.

    Jamie nodded. I forgot that you’re new in town. Okay, how about I draw you a map?

    The female driver nodded. That sounds good.

    Jamie drew a rough sketch that noted local landmarks, street names, road signs, and stoplights on the way to the vet’s office.

    The woman studied Jamie’s map. It made her smile when she noted the small humorous drawings that represented an intersection, a department store, a gas station, a pizza parlor, McDonald’s, and Burger King.

    Can you read my writing okay? Jamie asked, watching her read the map.

    The woman nodded. Thank you so much. I appreciate this. She smiled with an engaging grin that showed off a dimple, then shook hands with Jamie and prepared to drive off. Maybe I’ll see you at the library some time.

    Jamie shrugged. I don’t know; maybe. She strolled back to the repair site, deep in thought. Books aren’t my thing and neither are libraries. Give me a ball and I’ll be happy to show you how to play with it, she muttered to herself.

    Baseball was her favorite sport, but soccer and volleyball were close seconds. She’d approached one of the schools about setting up a junior league for kids interested in soccer since the school didn’t have the money to spend on a league team, so she’d put together a group of sponsors that were waiting anxiously to put their names and logos on team jerseys. They were willing to pay the big bucks to do it too. She’d use money for equipment, uniforms, and rental field time.

    The sound of honking horns brought her back to her present situation. She glanced at the long line of cars waiting to pass through the work site and then sighed. She’d do that if she survived this heat. She couldn’t believe it was almost September and it was still Sahara Desert hot. She hoped the weather cooled down before school started so the kids could play all the games she planned for them.

    Taylor Price was hot and tired but not too weary to look in her rearview mirror. She watched the flagger take her time strolling back to the truck containing the steaming asphalt. What a good-looking Black woman, Taylor thought, driving off to find the vet. She had great legs in those snug fitting-jeans and a nice ass too. She looked solid with her muscular arms. I wonder what she does for fun. She gazed through the windshield, noting the expanse of trees and fields of corn, and frowned. What did anyone do for fun in this place? The town seemed small. At least, what she’d seen of it. Compared to New York City, most places seemed small. She couldn’t get the raises she’d needed to support Kelly and herself in the city. She thought it was best to find a place where the cost of living was less. She kept looking until she found Dalton Falls, Ohio. She found it just in time too. The Big Apple’s newly elected mayor was making very vocal noises about closing more library branches. She couldn’t go through the nightmare of do-I-still-have-a-job-when-I-get-up-in-the-morning routine again.

    She remembered the last contract the City had with her union. The City negotiated with every other local in the union but hers. Most city workers didn’t get the raises they wanted, but they weren’t laid off either. The former mayor promised there would be no layoffs unless the local was vocal in their criticisms of the administration. Her local’s president was the loudest critic of the former mayor, so she and her fellow librarians took the brunt of the layoffs and library closings.

    She monitored the political climate of the City after the last series of crazy remarks her local president uttered. She realized that she might need to start looking for another job in private industry or train for another career since she didn’t have the seniority most of her colleagues did. It seemed to Taylor that most librarians died on the job after working for the City thirty to forty years. She only had eleven years in the City’s system, so she’d probably be in the first or second round of layoffs.

    She remembered another layoff about twelve years ago. She was in private industry at the time and didn’t have a child yet. She’d just gotten her Master’s in library science and was still working as a sales clerk because she couldn’t find a library position. The retail industry was suffering through a slump. Some of the larger stores were either declaring bankruptcy or merging with other department store giants as discount stores started to encroach into their markets. Anyway, it was the same old story of last one hired and first one fired. She didn’t have enough seniority as a sale clerk, so when she finally lost her job, she filed for unemployment.

    The unemployment center told her to go out on job interviews to keep getting checks. Oh, how she hated going out on those job interviews. Employers interviewed her, then politely told her how overqualified she was for the job. Potential employers expressed doubts that she’d stay once she realized how difficult the menial tasks were for such a small paycheck. To make matters worse, when she called back to check on the status of her application, the jobs had disappeared.

    One of her career counselors, the new name the government gave to the nasty little clerks who monitored her job progress, called her to the side and mentioned a possible job. Thank God, Taylor finally met someone who, unlike her predecessors, reviewed her educational record and job history, then suggested she apply for a job with the City.

    The counselor, Dana Burkes, said she’d noticed Taylor’s small rainbow pin during one of her weekly visits to the office. Dana made a comment about how pretty the pin was and then told Taylor about the job postings at the City’s Department of Personnel at 2 Washington Place. Dana said that it might take a few weeks before the City got in touch with her after she applied, but it was worth a try. She claimed the City’s benefits were excellent. She’d confided to Taylor that her girlfriend worked in the Department of Sanitation. Her girlfriend said the pay was fabulous and so were the medical benefits. Dana suggested while Taylor waited for the city job that she should continue to go on interviews. If the city job didn’t pan out, one of the other jobs probably would.

    At least you have options. Most of them don’t, Dana whispered, nodding in the direction of the long line of clients waiting for counseling in the crowded unemployment office.

    Dana Burkes was right. The librarian’s job with the City was more than Taylor hoped it would be. It offered her generous maternity leave, which she used after Kelly was born. It also guaranteed her a job when she returned from leave. The job provided Taylor with the opportunity to work in a field she loved, doing things that she loved.

    She started her career in library science working at the Donnell Children’s Library on 53rd street off of 5th Avenue. It was the second best location for her and she loved it. The library catered to children and young people. The colorful display shelves advertised the latest new books for young children, including the Harry Potter series, the Dr. Seuss collection, and classics like Little Women, the Hardy Boys, and the Nancy Drew Mystery Series.

    Taylor and her colleagues changed the displays on a weekly basis, depending on the topic and the season. For instance, during Black History month, they found unusual books by less well-known African-American children’s authors. They included them in the display along with books about Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Dr. King, General Colin Powell, Dr. Kenneth Clark, Justices Clarence Thomas and Thurgood Marshall, Attorney Anita Hill, abolitionist Sojourner Truth, writer Zora Neal Hurston, civil rights activist Ida B. Wells, writer Charles Chestnut, African-American cowboys, and other African-American heroes.

    She enjoyed working with the children who came into the library. She loved finding the books they needed for school or giving short, lively seminars to elementary students, teaching them how to use the library. It was fun showing the Dewey decimal system to the children or teaching them how to search the system using the library’s CATS and LEO Intranet. She didn’t even mind restocking the shelves or alphabetizing of the books by the author’s last name. Yes, she enjoyed her first city job.

    Taylor rubbed tired eyes and then yawned. She drove slowly down Main Boulevard, looking for the turn off to Water Street. An impatient driver behind her gunned his motor, then he called out, Drive the speed limit, Miss. But she was afraid she’d miss the turn off onto Water Street if she drove faster. She signaled him to go around and slowed down to look for the series of fast food places the flagger’s map described. He finally drove around her van, scowling as he sped past.

    If this had been the city, he’d have given me the finger. How different this place is, she muttered as she scanned the street again, finding the sign for Water Street on the right. A few doors down on the left, she spotted the veterinarian’s office. She breathed a sigh of relief as she pulled into the parking lot next to the office. She glanced into the rearview mirror to see if her daughter was awake. She smiled at the image of her daughter’s arm resting protectively around Lady D’s neck.

    Lady D was the ugliest dog she’d ever seen. She recalled when Kelly brought her home from school one day. Her daughter claimed the dog followed her home and wouldn’t go away, even though she resorted to throwing things at it. Taylor knew Kelly well enough to know when she telling the truth. She smiled at the little white lie Kelly told to keep the dog. Kelly wouldn’t have the heart to throw anything at a living soul, including cats, dogs, pigeons, or fish. She loved animals. If Taylor let her, Kelly would have filled their three-bedroom apartment with every imaginable stray animal that could fit in it.

    As it was, their apartment contained—Taylor smiled, then corrected her thoughts—well, it used to contain a cat, a dog, fighting fish, and two goldfish housed in a separate tank until they moved here to Dalton Falls this morning. According to Kelly, the fighting fish named Harry might eat goldfish June and Maymay if they lived in the same tank. The two goldfish raced around the small plastic traveling bowl like tiny, crazed women trying to get used their temporary living quarters.

    Harry, on the other hand, was languidly resting at the bottom of the second container. He seemed content to watch the world whiz by him. Kelly’s cat, the one-eyed calico named Xander, died several weeks ago; make that six weeks ago, to be exact. She remembered the date because it was the same date that she closed on their new home.

    Taylor opened the passenger door in the back, reached in, and gently shook her daughter’s shoulder. Sweetie pie, wake up. Kelly didn’t move, so she shook her harder and raised her voice. Come on, Kelly; we need to take Lady D inside.

    Sleepy brown eyes stared back at Taylor. Kelly sat up, then frowned. She stretched and looked around. Are we there yet, Mommy? This doesn’t look like a house to me. It looks like a parking lot. Why are we in a parking lot, Mommy?

    I thought we should have Lady D checked out before we went to the house. I want to make sure she’s all right before we settle in to the new house. We don’t want her to have the babies in the car, Kelly. Do we, Sweetie?

    Kelly shrugged. I could deliver the puppies, Mommy. I read a book on how to deliver puppies. It showed the birth process step by step. It had pictures how to deliver them and everything too. It looked easy to me.

    Taylor smiled at her daughter’s overconfidence. She smoothed loose strands of hair away from Kelly’s eyes. As much as her daughter liked to read about anything and everything, she was casual about her looks, especially her hair. Her two thick braids seemed to have a mind of their own. They were untamable. At least that was what Kelly claimed when they came wildly loose. Give Kelly a couple of animals, a beat-up sweatshirt, a dirty pair of sneakers, a ragged pair of jeans, and a couple of balls … make that soccer, volleyball, or baseball … and she’d be ecstatically happy.

    Why don’t we meet go meet the doctor and see if Lady D likes him. Okay, Sweetie? Taylor prompted.

    Kelly shrugged, then helped her mother lift the dog out of the car. Lady D waddled slowly behind her mistresses.

    Taylor found the vet’s waiting room small and it looked nearly empty. There was one other patient waiting. A boy about her daughter’s age was holding a cocker spaniel with a cast on his front left paw. The dog was beautiful—golden beige with long, silky ears, a wavy soft coat, and large, alert brown eyes. The boy looked at Kelly and Lady D and grinned. He moved over and offered her a seat.

    What kinda dog is that, Miss? He stared at Lady D in all her pregnant glory. She sure looks fat.

    Kelly sighed. She was disgusted with the boy’s lack of knowledge. She blew the hair out of her eyes. That shows you how much you know, Pal! She’s not fat. She’s pregnant.

    Oh wow! The boy gave Kelly an admiring look and then glanced at Taylor. Do you think I could be there when she gives birth? I’ve never seen a dog give birth.

    Taylor frowned at the young boy. I don’t know, Sweetie. Don’t you think you should ask your mother first?

    The veterinarian came out of an office just as the boy was formulating an answer for Taylor. Jeremy, what are you still doing here? I thought you told me your mother was coming to get you and Taffy.

    She is, Uncle Allen. I mean, I think she is. Jeremy scrunched up his face, trying to remember what his mother had said earlier this morning.

    Never mind, son. I’ll call your mother after I see this patient. Just sit with Taffy, okay? The big man in the white lab coat frowned as he looked down at his nephew and shook his head. He walked over to stand in front of Taylor. What can I help you with today?

    Hello, Doctor. I’m Taylor Price and this is my daughter, Kelly. Taylor squeezed her daughter’s shoulder.

    Allen Phillips nodded at Taylor and winked at Kelly. And who do we have here? he asked, squatting down to look at Lady D.

    That’s Lady D, Kelly remarked. We think she’s ready to go into labor either today or tomorrow. I know she’s losing the hair on her belly. And I saw the puppies moving around when she was sleeping.

    Did you? Dr. Phillips eyes widened as he looked at Kelly with a new appreciation. We don’t get many patients whose owners are as knowledgeable as you seem to be, young lady. How far along is she, Miss Price?

    Kelly calculated the figure in her head. I’d say about seven weeks.

    Allen Phillips looked Taylor and winked. He stood up. Well, let’s bring her inside and double check your theory, shall we?

    Yes, Sir. Kelly guided Lady D into one of the examining rooms that the doctor pointed out. She watched as he lifted the dog onto the stainless steel table.

    Haven’t seen you around here before, young lady. Dr. Phillips opened a drawer under the table. Are you and your mother new in town?

    Yes, Sir.

    Dr. Phillips laid Lady on her side and petted her coat. That’s a good girl, Lady D. He snapped on rubber gloves and took her temperature. Hmm, he muttered when he looked at it. Your calculations are a little off, Kelly, Dr. Phillips said as he took off the gloves and threw them into the wastebasket. Lady D won’t be delivering puppies today. Did your vet say how many she’s carrying?

    Yes, he said the x–ray showed seven puppies.

    Allen Phillips nodded. I think she’ll give birth in another week. So where are you from, Kelly?

    New York City.

    Allen Phillips nodded. Ah, the Big Apple; that’s a mighty big place. What brought you and your mother here to our little burg?

    Everything here is micro compared to New York, Kelly grumbled. My mom says country air is healthy air. We should breathe it as much as we can. But I think we moved here because she was tired of her job.

    What did your mom do in the city? Dr. Philips asked, digging around the drawer, searching for something.

    She was a librarian.

    Dr. Phillips smiled. Hmm, so the woman outside was the candidate who got the job. He missed the final series of interviews with three top contenders for the position of head librarian. He had to deliver a breech calf for Marty Hanson. Okay, Kelly, we’re all finished here. Lady D is a healthy mother-to-be. Whatever you and your mother are doing, keep doing it. You should be seeing those puppies in about week.

    Allen Phillips gave Lady D a milk bone treat, which she politely munched as the doctor petted her and then lifted her down to the floor. If she looks like she’s having difficulty with the delivery, call me, Kelly. He handed her a business card. I don’t think she will, but you never know. Put me down for one of those puppies. Okay?

    Kelly stared into friendly dark blue eyes and smiled.

    What a pretty girl when she isn’t so busy being serious, Allen Phillips thought. Kelly Price resembled a miniature version of her mother. The mother seemed like a nice, attractive woman. Humph, he found the mother more than a little attractive. He followed the daughter back into the waiting room. He spotted Kelly’s mother talking to his kid sister. He groaned inwardly. It looked like Mary the Matchmaker was at it again.

    Hello, Allen. Mary Hughes greeted her older brother with a wide, mischievous grin. I was just asking Taylor about coming to dinner next weekend. You know, Allen, to our regular Friday night dinner date. I thought since she’s new in town, she and Kelly might enjoy a home-cooked meal. And it would give her a chance to meet some of her fellow townspeople.

    Allen Phillips grinned at the two women. Well, I see you’ve met my sister, Ms. Price.

    Taylor rubbed at her eyes. Call me Taylor. Ms. Price sounds far too formal.

    She looks tired, Allen thought. I bet she drove all night to make sure she was here by this morning. I don’t mind the company. I’d be delighted, but will you be settled in by Friday, Taylor? I’m sure you have plenty of unpacking to do between today and next Friday.

    Oh, don’t worry about me. Kelly and I should have everything done by then. Right, Kiddo? Taylor turned to look at her daughter.

    Kelly shrugged.

    We’ll gladly accept your dinner invitation, Mary. Taylor turned toward the pretty woman with the dark blues eyes and brown hair to smile. Then she turned to the vet. Dr. Phillips, how much do I owe you for the visit?

    Dr. Phillips pointed to the sign. The first one’s always free. If you like my service and come back, it ranges from ten dollars to fifty dollars, depending on what’s wrong with the animal. Course, I have been known to accept a puppy in lieu of payment. He winked at Kelly and then grinned.

    Thank you, Doctor. Do we need to come back when she goes into labor? Taylor asked, just to make sure.

    Allen shook his head no. No need to see me again. Lady D is as healthy as a horse. Unless she’s in distress with the delivery, which I sincerely doubt, I gave your daughter my business card.

    Could I come over and watch the delivery, Kelly? Jeremy begged, looking at Kelly first, then eyeing her mother. I’ve never seen a delivery before. My uncle said I could watch the next one.

    Kelly sighed heavily, then rolled her eyes skyward. Her silent gestures said, Do we have to put up with this kid?

    Taylor whispered in her daughter’s ear not to be rude.

    Kelly reluctantly agreed to her mother’s wishes. Okay, she responded in an annoyed tone. You can come over and watch. Just don’t call my dog fat again! she warned.

    Jeremy grinned broadly.

    Taylor looked at her daughter, then rolled her eyes and sighed. Be nice, Kelly, she reminded.

    Mary squeezed Taylor’s arm sympathetically. Don’t worry about it. Jeremy won’t take it personally. He never does. How about if we exchange phone numbers?

    Taylor nodded. She wrote Mary’s address in her book, then gave Mary a slip of paper containing her cell phone number. It was nice to meet you, Mary. We’ll see you on Friday about seven. She walked Kelly and Lady D to the door. She suddenly snapped her fingers and returned to the little waiting room. I forgot to ask. How do I get to Willow Road from here?

    Mary broke out into a broad, knowing grin. You’re not going to the big, old rambling house at the end of the street, are you? The two-story brick house needing carpentry work, among other things? Has a huge backyard with a two-car garage and a workshop behind the house?

    Taylor nodded, then smiled. Yes, that’s the one.

    Christ! Mary exclaimed with a frown. I wondered who Madden persuaded to buy the darned thing.

    Allen cleared his throat twice to warn his sister to be quiet when he noticed Taylor’s discomfort.

    Mary sighed, then studied Taylor’s scowling face. I’m sorry. It’s just that the realty company you dealt with probably didn’t explain the house was a fixer-upper. Did they?

    Taylor’s eyes widened. She shook her head no.

    Mary noted Taylor’s shocked look. I didn’t think so. My company refused to sell it for the owner because of the deceptive way he wanted it advertised. In my other life, I sell real estate when I’m not busy being a mother, president of the PTA, and playing matchmaker to my friends. She smiled at Taylor. Look, I live about three streets from you. Why don’t you follow me? I’ll show you how get home from here. We can talk about the house when we get there. I have a couple of good contacts in the repair world … carpenters, plumbers, and electricians. They’re inexpensive but good. I could set you up with them if you’d like, Taylor.

    Alarmed by her new suggestion, Taylor asked, How bad do you think the house is, Mary?

    Mary patted her arm in sympathy. It’s not that bad. Your house is livable, but you’ll want to do replacement repairs. The first floor is okay, but the second floor, where the bedrooms are, needs work. The former owner did work in the kitchen and the bathrooms, but that’s about it. I bet you fell in love with the place as soon as you saw the fireplaces and the huge backyard. You probably didn’t pay much attention to anything else, Mary remarked with a knowing grin.

    How did you know? Taylor was amazed that a stranger gauged her reaction to the house accurately without being there.

    Years of experience with clients, Taylor, Mary said as she linked arms with Taylor.

    Allen watched his sister walk out the door with the attractive new librarian. They strolled to the parking lot together. So that son of a bitch Madden dumped on another client, he muttered as he locked up the office. He considered the town’s biggest realtor unscrupulous. He and Greg Madden had been classmates in high school and roommates in college. Truth be told, they were more than just classmates. Greg Madden used to be his best friend during their school years.

    Greg was always a quick thinker and an even faster talker, which made him a great salesman. In school, he was the one who created the best last-minute excuses when papers or projects were late. Most of the time, teachers believed Greg when he told his sad tale of woe. He somehow managed to include his best friend Allen in a pivotal role in the stories. They got away with plenty of mischief and misrepresentation when they were kids, Allen mused. They must’ve had the luck of the Irish with them because they still managed to graduate in the top ten percent of their class despite the tricks they played on the adults in their lives.

    They went to Ohio State University. He decided to become a veterinarian. Greg took business and management courses. Graduating on time, he was accepted into the state’s school of Veterinary Medicine while Greg enrolled into the MBA Program. They remained roommates through graduate school until Greg graduated with his MBA and moved on.

    Allen told himself that his best bud, Greg, had moved away because the MBA program ended two years earlier than his vet school program. In his heart, however, he sensed Greg was changing and that he wanted to move far away from everything he’d known as a child. Greg believed his own hype about how great he was and how much money he was going make before he reached thirty.

    He sighed glumly. Greg earned his first million in the stock market by the time he turned twenty-eight. He didn’t learn that fact until much later because by then, Greg was a stranger. He sent a postcard once a year at Christmas but made no other effort to see his former friend. According to newspapers and magazine articles, Greg Madden lost his second million in the market before his thirtieth birthday. He decided to come home to invest the remainder of his fortune in real estate development.

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